Spinning-top.



Patented Feb. l3, I900;

C. VERNIAUD.

SPINNING TOP.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1899.]

(No Model.)

y N VEN T OR 5 I 1 A ttarhay I. lV/TNESSES M PATENT SPINNING-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,311, dated February 13, 1900).

A li ation filed March 29,1899. Serial No. 710,918. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDIUS VERNIAUD, of Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spinning-Tops; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in spinning-tops, one object being to construct a top in such manner that it can be so spun as to cause it to travel over the ground while spinning or to spin constantly where it strikes the ground at the will of the operator.

A further object is to so construct a top having two conical ends, one provided with a pointed plug and the other end provided with a rounded or spherical head or plug, that the spinning-cord can be so wound as to cause the retention of the top at the place on the ground where it strikes or to insure the travcling of the top over the ground.

I/Vith these ends in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,.Figure 1 represents a view of" my improved top. Fig. 2 is a View in vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a view in which one manner of Winding the top is shown, and Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the manner of winding the top on the reverse end.

A represents the body portion of my improved top, made in a single piece, and it comprises two conical-shaped sections 1 2, the butt-ends of which are disposed adjacent to one another and spaced apart by an annular groove 3 for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. The contracted or reduced end of conical section 1 is provided with a socket or bore 4, within which is screwed the threaded shank 5 of spinning point or plug 6. This spinning-point 6 is preferably made in the form of a spear and is provided at its juncture with shank 5 with an annular bearing 7, adapted to abut against the flattened end of section 1 for the purpose of preventing said spinning point or plug from being driven too far into and splitting said section 1. when the to prevent the upward passage of the spinning 7 point into said section.

The annular groove 3 between the butt ends of sections 1 2 is for the purpose of receiving the first wrap or wind of cord 12, as shown in Fig. 3. This portion of cord 12 leaves the top just prior to the arrival of the latter upon the ground and imparts thereto in addition to a revolving motion a lateral movement to cause said top as it revolves to travel from the point it first strikes the ground, said traveling motion being greatly increased by reason of the rounded head on plug 10.

When it is desired to have the top spin in apredetermined spot, or, in other words, spin at the place where it first strikes the ground, the knotted end of cord. 12 will be looped around the rounded or spherical plug 10, as shown in Fig. 4:. When the cord is wound around the top, as shown in said figure, it will be apparent that the looped end thereof will be the last section of said cord to leave the top and upon leaving will exert a vertical movement to said top sufficient to overcome any tenden cy on the part of the latterto travel or move sidewise. The plug 6 by reason of its shape will materially assist in preventing the top from moving laterally.

When it is desired to use my improved top in games played in rings, the cord should be wound in the manner above explained and as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:-

The annular groove 3, which, as shown, is located at the bases of the two cones, connects, preferably, a plurality of recesses 13, the latter being formed at the juncture of the cones and preferably located equidistant apart. These recesses, with or without the longitudinal grooves 14, formed in one or both sections of the top, cause the latter to give a humming noise while spinning rapidly.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a spinning-top comprising two cones separated by a peripheral groove, each cone adapted to receive a spinning-cord and each cone provided at the apeX with a spinning end.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a spinning-top having its body made of a single piece in the form of two truncated cones, separated by a centrally-located annular groove, a pointed plug secured to the end of one cone and a rounded or blunt plug secured to the end of the other cone.

' said plugs being pointed and the other being rounded.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLAUDIUS VERNIAUD.

WVitnesses:

A. J. BROOKSOHMIDT, ROBERT S. DAMHORST. 

